Chapter Text
The Olympics. A place where both tears of happiness and sadness appear, a place where perfection is most expected. The chills were high and not just because they were near a skating rink. No no. Because today would decide the fate of two young teammates, friends and rivals.
Alina was the one with the least experience since she was young. But she was still injury-free, younger, and maybe even prettier. Prettier in a way that she was always constantly complemented by those around her. Even when she wasn’t Eteri’s favorite Evgenia still felt envious towards Alina. She didn’t need anyone to tell her since she already knew deep down that Alina was the fan favorite all eyes were mostly on her but at least many expected her to win and not Alina and that’s all she needed.
Evgenia looked at herself in the mirror moving her head side to side her face changing by second telling a story with each expression that reflected off her youthful face. Evgenia wasn’t chasing scores, she was chasing inter feelings she was all about giving the crowd a story with her graceful artistry that made the crowd fall into a long memorizing trance forgetting that they were seeing a real human and not an angel.
Evgenia was injured. Her ankle decided that now was the perfect time to fail her but she was determined to become the champion to finally get the last gold medal that had been the last obstacle for reaching the deep and treacherous gold slam. The gold slam was not an easy feat only a few very fortunate individuals have been able to achieve such an accomplishment and Evgenia was going to be one of those few individual no matter if it killed her.
She had finally finished her warm-up her muscles were loose and ready to give the performance of their life. Her makeup was done and ready making her look like a gorgeous doll but her eyeshadow made her look bold and dangerous
But she felt a bit empty mostly in her stomach, it’s been days since she ate she was used to starving herself it was practically expected in the Eteri camp they didn’t need to tell you to quit eating just by looking at the other petite girls made you want to throw up your breakfast out of shame.
Evgenia went out and met with Eteri who was already expecting her and her other coaches and someone else, someone with whom she was friends with but today they were rivals. Alina. She also dolled up her hair neatly in a bun and her outfit, which made her look like a ballerina on ice a perfect one that could do no wrong or harm. But looks were deceiving Alina wasn’t as artistically beautiful as Evgenia but she had a type of obsession with figure skating and Evgenia somehow no matter how hard she tried could not reach. Not only that but she was very athletic and had amazing stamina that made competitive runners look like a joke.
They slowly walked to the ice rink where the whole world was getting ready to see who would leave this stadium with Olympic gold under their records and the history of gold medals in the female category. Both athletes gave each other slight and small glances knowing full well that no matter what the result are their relationship was on the line it didn’t matter how much they loved and respected each other this was a battle between teammates and even lovers.
Alina slowly walked up to Evgenia with a type of confidence that was radiating off the young female athlete. She slowly wrapped her arms around Evgenia she was warm and gentle but Evgenia knew she had to stay focused. Evgenia wrapped her arms around Alina her arms gripping the almost non-existent waist that belonged to Alina as she felt those thin arms wrap around her neck as a small threat. A small pair of lips pressing against her cheek, a kiss that lingered for a little too long but Evgenia returned the favor giving Alina the same energy.
“Good luck. My Evgenia”
Alina whispered softly as one of her arms rose up to Evgenia’s head. A small shiver spread across Evgenia’s body the heat from Alina's breath hitting her ear a bit too well.
“Good luck to you too. Alina.”
And with that, both athletes reluctantly release themselves from each other's warmth, this may be the last time any sort of warmth is felt between the two. Engenia slowly leaves Alina and removes her jacket and hands it to her coach and steps onto the ice which feels like she’s stepped into a completely different world but adrenaline and excitement flow through her body as the crowd erupts into cheers and applauds
She breathes in and out and closes her eyes ready, knowing that this only has two outcomes that both change her life story.
In the end, Evgenia skated perfectly from the start to the end she was flawless as soon as the music turned off tears flowed down her face she had it the gold was right in her hands she did everything right no mistakes her performance was just phenomenal a performance that would go down in history but would she win gold? Yes, she skated greatly but there was one last performer who could steal the metal, and that person was Alina.
Evgenia wasn’t worried she definitely wasn’t fiddling with her fingers as her score was being called out, no she would be fine she had this in the bag and nothing could stop her. Well, that’s what she thought. Eteri hugged her and whispered sweet nothings into her ear but she felt no love she knew that Eteri loved her out of every student she had and would pick her in every lifetime but all those times she had been ridiculed in front of many others all those days where Evgenia would lock herself in the bathroom and would sob until her lungs were dry until her head was throbbing. She wouldn’t really relate that with love but it didn’t matter as long as Eteri made her successful she just had to endure it a little longer.
She went and sat down in a special area where she could watch Alina’s performance she watched as Alina entered the ice and glided across the ice like a beautiful swan, the room was full of cheers and excitement every human was filled with murmurs their guesses running wild wondering who would take gold tonight. Evgenia Medvedeva or Alina Zagitova it all came down to Alina’s performance.
In the end, Alina skated wonderfully it was a clean skate everyone was cheering and at this moment Evgenia felt a feeling that she was trying to push down for so long. She felt fear no matter how much she tried to comfort herself she couldn’t shake off the feeling of insecurity she watched as Alina skated off the ice and went to receive her score, the spectators went from believing that Evgenia was going to win the gold to wondering if Evgenia’s score was enough to stay on top.
Alina sat while Eteri sat next to her no showing as much affection for Alina as much as she did to Evgenia but Danii sure didn’t mind placing his hand on Alina’s shoulder a gesture of support. The score finally came in popping on the big screen for the whole world to see including Evgenia
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1st rank:
Alina Zagitova - 239.57
2nd rank:
Evgenia Medvedeva-238.26
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Evgenia’s heart dropped to her stomach slowly tried to process what had just happened did she just lose to a younger teammate? No this was impossible she has been dominating this sport for two years straight how could this be possible. She did everything right her performance was perfect and she worked hard in practice so why did this happen, Evgenia closed her eyes trying so hard not to burst into tears why couldn’t Alina just stay in
Juniors just for one more year.
The rest of the day was a blur, with news reporters asking uncomfortable questions that she was in no state to answer. She watched Alina get praised and congratulated by many others. Evgenia was envious to say the least she felt robbed but she remained silent because she knew if a word came out of that envious mouth of hers she’d say the wrong thing.
When Evgenia finally received her silver metal she felt no pride no happiness she felt embarrassment and shame any regular person would feel ecstatic but Evgenia wasn’t any regular person the goal was to win gold not sliver she had failed and her dreams now felt out of reach. What was the point of staying with Eteri if she didn’t help her win gold so the same exact year Evgenia left team Eteri saying goodbye to everyone except Eteri and someone who was once so close but now so far.
Alina Zagitova.